The foundation stone for MediaCorp’s new headquarters was laid on Friday as construction for the new home for Singapore’s largest broadcaster got underway.

Several senior executives observed the ceremony at the city state’s new Media City – Mediapolis@one-north.

MediaCorp, whose business includes TV, print, magazines and 13 FM radio channels, is due to move from its current premises at Caldecott Hill to the purpose-built campus in 2015.

The new headquarters will include a 1,600 seat broadcast performance arts theatre, a broadcast centre featuring TV and radio studios and a public plaza complete with grand stairway for red carpet events.

A fully integrated news operation will also be realised by the move, bringing together TV, radio and print operations under one roof.

A previous plan to build new headquarters at Bukit Batok was shelved due to the 2008 financial crisis.

Friday’s ground-breaking was watched by staff by video link and MediaCorp Chairman Teo Ming Kian, Chief Financial Officer Yeo Mui Sung, Kajima Vice Managing Director Shinoda, and DPA Associate Director, Tan Jiann Woei attended the ceremony.

Speaking later, Mr Teo said the moment “represents a milestone closer to realising our vision of a campus that enables MediaCorp to better meet its mission of engaging, entertaining and enriching our audiences by harnessing the power of creativity of our people, and that Singaporeans would be proud of to call their own and encouraged to co-create content for our multiple platforms.”

Soon to be home to 2,800 staff, the new campus is likely to be named by MediaCorp’s fans.

MediaCorp’s CEO Shaun Seow said of the new campus: “As the media scene continues to evolve, we will be involving consumers more in content creation. The new campus and its state of the art facilities will enable us to bring Singaporeans into the heart of what we do, and create something for all Singaporeans to be proud of.”